As a self-described theatre geek and culture vulture, Maia is always partaking in the arts. This will be the place to hear about what she's seen and her recommendations on what you should behold; in the theatre world and beyond.

A sold out “Les Misérables” opens Balagan’s promising 2013-2014 season

I’ve been remiss in posting this review. It sat half-written in my draft folder for a week while my day job, too many books checked out from the library and busy evenings got the better of me. Soon after, an email from Balagan announcing Les Mis was SOLD OUT for the rest of the run hit my inbox. Bravo!

Balagan’s packed season preview in June had a line of young, excited theatregoers queuing around the block of the Moore Theatre on a sunny, Seattle evening. The night boasted newly-crowned winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race and Balagan alum, Jinkx Monsoon, Balagan’s new artistic Louis Hobson of Broadway’s Next to Normal fame, and the 2009 Tony-award winner for Best actress in Next to Normal, Alice Ripley.

Hobson is currently starring in Balagan’s “stripped-down” version of Les Mis as escaped ex-con Jean Valjean. He also has the voice of an angel.

Full disclosure…despite being a musical theatre fan, my exposure to Victor Hugo’s epic novel-cum-musical was minimal. Umpteen regional theatre productions under my belt to compare it to I had not. Umpteen talent show renditions of “On My Own”? Perhaps. I also technically saw it on Broadway c. 1999 during a class trip to the Big Apple, but the most I can recall from that evening was trying to stay awake for three hours (it had been a very long day). More recently I endured the 2012 movie version and suffered through Russell Crowe’s Javert; I suspect some of you did as well.

For being stripped-down and intimate, Balagan’s Mis retains the sizable cast of a more traditional production, and can tout a well-built, multi-functional set accompanied by an orchestra upstage. The action of 19th-century revolutionary France makes practical use of near’ every inch of the Erikson Theater under Jake Groshong’s staging, with Javert (Michael Dunalp) primarily entering and exiting through the center aisle staircase on his relentless hunt for ”prisoner 24601.” The house is small, so you’re really in the thick of it—especially the onstage seats—gun battles and all.

Brian Giebler as the lovesick Marius, Danielle Barnum as unrequited love endurer Eponine, and Shay Hodgins as the sweet albeit boring Cosette are all lovely in their roles. A raunchy “Master of the House” led by Robert Scherzer and Rebecca M. Davis as the the conniving Thenardiers almost felt a little too risqué, but appropriately so. When the ensemble comes together for “One Day More,” this intimate show feels right at home, and will likely leave you singing it on the way home to yours.

The sold out Les Misérables closes tomorrow night, but if you’re feeling lucky check Balagan’s Facebook page for last minute announcements about released seats.

Next up at Balagan is CARRIE the musical, starring Alice Ripley and Keaton Whittaker from Balagan’s production of Next to Normal, running October 11-26 at the Moore Theatre.

As I’m writing this Balagan just announced that Jinkx Monsoon will reprise his role as Hedwig Schmidt for a limited engagement of Hedwig and the Angry Inch at the Moore this December!